Ultrafine Cu nanoparticles decorated porous TiO2 for high-efficient electrocatalytic reduction of NO to synthesize NH3

Low-temperature electrocatalytic reduction of nitric oxide (NORR) is promising for the low-cost, high-efficiency removal and utilization of nitric oxide (NO), which couples the two crucial industrial processes of denitration and synthetic ammonia. We reported a binary catalyst of Cu/P–TiO2 for NORR process, which took advantages of the Cu electrocatalysts and porous TiO2. The increase of surface areas and channels can improve the adsorption of NO molecules. The decoration of the ultrafine Cu nanoparticles on the porous TiO2 may prevent the agglomeration of ultrafine Cu nanoparticles. The as-prepared Cu/P–TiO2 electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity with a Faraday efficiency of 86.49% and NH3 yield of 3520.80 μg·h−1·mg−1 in 0.1 M K2SO4 at −0.3 V vs. RHE. The mechanism of the NORR reaction process with Cu/P–TiO2 catalysts was also discussed. This research may broaden the application areas of TiO2-based materials in the electrocatalysis and provide a new sight in the treatment of NO pollutants.